Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program

FY 11 Task 95.02

Virginia Marine Debris Summit Final Report

Submitted by the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

The Virginia Marine Debris Summit was funded by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality through Grant #NA11NOS4190122 of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended.

Summary

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center provided the facilities to host the Virginia Marine Debris Summit - Exploring Solutions: Educate, Motivate, Innovate on February 27-28, 2013.

A planning committee comprised of Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program staff and representatives from the Virginia Aquarium, Clean Virginia Waterways/ Longwood University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Sea Grant, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and the Department of Environmental Quality Office of Public Communication and Outreach and Office of Pollution Prevention Program worked together to develop the agenda, secure speakers and facilitators, and undertake all logistics.

The goal of the summit was to lay the groundwork for development of a Virginia Marine Debris Management Plan for

the Commonwealth. Having a plan in place also will help Virginia meet one of its goals as a member of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO). Management options from the summit will be presented to the Virginia Coastal Policy Team and to MARCO for consideration.

The summit engaged 75 professionals from federal, state and local governments, nonprofits, community groups,

industry, and academia who work to prevent and mitigate the litter and waste that degrades our coastal and ocean waters. (Photo above shows attendees gathered during one of the Summit’s plenary sessions). A list of Summit attendees is provided in Appendix B.

Together Summit attendees identified and reviewed the

sources and impacts of marine debris of particular concern in Virginia - plastics (food and beverage containers and plastic bags), recreational and commercial fishing gear and cigarette butts and balloons - and then identified possible solutions for each type of marine debris. These proposed solutions included new ways to educate people and change their behavior, motivate them through new incentives, and to innovate products and technology that help the marine environment.

Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources, Doug

Domenech, opened the Summit by reminding attendees of the importance of addressing the debris issue at its source as well as once trash enters the marine environment. Invited speakers included staff from NOAA and EPA, university scientists, NGOs, industry stakeholders, and state and local governments. There were more than 15 individual

presentations, expert panel discussions, and breakout working sessions. Partner exhibits highlighting marine debris prevention and reduction efforts circled the main meeting space (photo above). The Summit agenda, including links to presentations, is provided in Appendix A, and also available on the Virginia CZM Program Marine Debris web page at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/CoastalZoneManagement/CZMIssuesInitiatives/VirginiaMarineDebris.aspx.

Media coverage of the summit included a photo and caption in Inside Business. The Summit also was highlighted in

the Virginia Beach City Manager’s Update. See Appendix C. The Virginia Marine Debris Summit was sponsored by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program and the

Virginia Aquarium, as well as the Virginia Seafood Council and the Virginia Aquaculture Oyster Growers. Logistical support provided by the Aquarium and its catering subcontractor (Sodexo) included registration management and fee collection, host hotel arrangements, onsite coordination, food and break services, break-out space for workgroups, set-up and cleaning services, and audio-visual equipment use and support. Of particular note, the food service provided by the Aquarium and its caterer, and all activities during the event, generated zero landfill waste – the limited amount of waste from the event was entirely recycled or composted. As a result of the sustainability planning, the Marine Debris Summit received the highest rating from the state as a Virginia Green Certified Event.

Appendix A – Virginia Marine Debris Summit Agenda

Welcome and Goals of the Workshop

Mark Swingle, Director of Research & Conservation, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center (remarks only - no presentation)

Exploring Solutions that Educate, Motivate and Innovate (pdf) Laura McKay, Program Manager, Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program

Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Remarks (pdf) Doug Domenech, Secretary of Natural Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia

Marine Debris – Global Perspectives (presentation to be posted soon) Nicholas Mallos, Conservation Biologist & Marine Debris Specialist, The Ocean Conservancy

Microplastics: Is smaller bigger? (pdf) Dr. Robert Hale, Professor of Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary

Fishing Gear: Commercial and Recreational

Virginia Fishing Line Recycling Program (pdf) Alicia Nelson, Fisheries Management, Virginia Marine Resources Commission

Marine Debris: Lost Commercial Fishing Gear in Virginia Waters (pdf) Dr. Donna Marie Bilkovic, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary

Items of Special Concern: Cigarette Butts & Balloons

Cigarette Butts as Litter (pdf) Katie Register, Executive Director, Clean Virginia Waterways of Longwood University Bronwen Evans, Director of Litter Programs, Keep America Beautiful

Balloons as Litter: A Rising Concern (pdf) Christina M. Trapani, Stranding Information Specialist, Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response

Plastics in the Marine Environment: Food and Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags

Convenient Trash: On the go, on the beach, in the ocean (presentation to be posted soon) Nicholas Mallos, Conservation Biologist & Marine Debris Specialist, The Ocean Conservancy

Marine Debris Solutions: Creating Effective, Collaborative Partnerships to Reduce Litter (pdf) Ashley Carlson, Consultant, American Chemistry Council

Keep Virginia Beautiful Plastic Bag Campaign (pdf) Mike Baum, Executive Director, Keep Virginia Beautiful

Recycling Polyethylene Film: Trex Plastic Recycled Lumber (pdf) Samara Norman, Trex

The Power of a Nickel: The Story of the DC Plastic Bag Fee (presentation to be posted soon) Matt Robinson, Environmental Protection Specialist, Stormwater Management Division, District of Columbia Dept of Environment

Stemming the Tide of Trash: Highlights of Innovative Programs, Solutions and Actions

Solutions: A Toolbox of Options (pdf) Katie Register, Executive Director, Clean Virginia Waterways of Longwood University

Do You Sea What I See? (presentation not available) Cris Ausink, HRStorm, Hampton Clean City Commission (presentation not available)

Stream to Sea (pdf) Wade Blackwood, Director, American Canoeist Association

Pilot Project to Access Behavior and Attitudes Regarding Discarded Trash and Ocean Health (pdf) Mark Swingle, Director of Research & Conservation, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Implementing the Anacostia River Trash TMDL (pdf) Matt Robinson, Environmental Protection Specialist, Stormwater Management Division, District of Columbia Dept of Environment

NOAA Action to Reduce the Impacts of Marine Debris: Responses to Pervasive Problems and Natural Disaster Events (pdf) Jason Rolfe, Southeast and Caribbean Regional Coordinator, Marine Debris Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

EPA National Trash Free Waters Program: A Strategic Approach to Reduce Trash and Debris in Aquatic Ecosystems (pdf) Robert Benson, Senior Advisor for Aquatic Ecosystem Strategies, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, United States Environmental Protection Agency

Appendix B – Virginia Marine Debris Summit Attendees

Virginia Marine Debris Summit – February 27 & 28, 2013 - Attendees

Email Address First Name

Last Name Job Title Company Name

adamsha@mymail.vcu.edu Hillary Adams Student Virginia Commonwealth University

faye.andrashko@nnswcd.org Faye Andrashko Education & Public Relations Specialist

Northern Neck Soil & Water Conservation District

causink@hampton.gov Chris Ausink Environmental Educator Hampton City Clean Commission

kyle.barbour@dcr.virginia.gov Kyle Barbour Park Manager DCR-False Cape State Park

mbaum@keepvirginiabeautiful.org Mike Baum Executive Director Keep Virginia Beautiful

sharon.baxter@deq.virginia.gov Sharon Baxter P2 Manager Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality

james.beckley@deq.virginia.gov James Beckley Quality Assurance Coordinator, Office of Water Monitoring

Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality

benson.robert@epa.gov Robert Benson Senior Advisor for Aquatic Ecosystem Strategies

EPA, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds

donnab@vims.edu Donna Marie

Bilkovic Research Assistant Professor

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

wblackwood@americancanoe.org Wade Blackwood Executive Director American Canoe Association

ruth.boettcher@dgif.virginia.gov Ruth Boettcher Coastal Terrestrial Biologist

VA Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries

joe.breedeen@poquoson-va.gov Joe Breedeen Lt. Poquoson Fire and Rescue

ashley@ashleycarlsonconsulting.com Ashley Carlson Consultant American Chemistry Council

steve.coe@deq.virginia.gov Steve Coe Recycling & Waste Tire Management Coordinator

Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality

ndean@allianceforthebay.org Nissa Dean Virginia Director Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

jdeuel@greenquestllc.com John Deuel Executive Director Keep Norfolk Beautiful

ddevine@tfcrecycling.com Debbie Devine Municipal Marketing Manager

TFC Recycling

natural.resources@governor.virginia.gov Doug Domenech Secretary of Natural Resources

Commonwealth of Virginia

celias@fergusonfoundation.org Clara Elias Program Associate Alice Ferguson Foundation

bevans@kab.org Bronwen Evans Director, Litter Programs

Keep America Beautiful

rfischer@co.accomack.va.us William Fischer Litter Control Officer Accomack County Department of Public Works

hale@vims.edu Robert Hale Professor of Marine Science

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

ahassel@cox.net Arne Hasselquist Wetlands Board Member

Hampton

kirk@vims.edu Kirk Havens Director, Coastal Watersheds Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

pmatthia@vbgov.com Steve Herbert Deputy City Manager City of Virginia Beach

page.hutchinson@deq.virginia.gov Page Hutchinson Environmental Educator Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality

tvjaneski@vcu.edu Todd Janeski Program Manager VA Commonwealth University

lisa.jennings@norfolk.gov Lisa Renee Jennings Clean Community Coordinator

Clean Community Coordinator

susan.m.lang@navy.mil Susan Lang Environmental Planner NAVFAC Atlantic

adrianaleiva@hotmail.com Adriana Leiva Vice Chair Surfrider Foundation-Texas Coastal Bend

mlennox@dnr.state.md.us Michelle Lennox Program Manager Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO)

blewis@nnpdc17.state.va.us Benjamin Lewis Regional Litter Control Coordinator

Northern Neck Planning District Commission

Craig.Lott@deq.virginia.gov Craig Lott Environmental Specialist Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality

nmallos@oceanconservancy.org Nick Mallos Conservation Biologist & Marine Debris Specialist

The Ocean Conservancy

laura.mckay@deq.virginia.gov Laura McKay Program Manager Virginia CZM Program

kris@lrnow.org Kris McKinnon Communications & Administrative Assistant

Lynnhaven River Now

lminner@vbgov.com Linda Minner Recycling Coordinator City of Virginia Beach

geralyn_mireles@fws.gov Geralyn Mireles Wildlife Biologist Back Bay Wildlife Refuge

shep.moon@deq.virginia.gov Shep Moon Coastal Planner Virginia CZM Program

angela.neilan@deq.virginia.gov Angela Neilan Community Involvement Specialist

Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality

alicia.nelson@mrc.virginia.gov Alicia Nelson Fisheries Management Specialist, Sr.

Virginia Marine Resources Commission

snorman@trex.com Samara Norman Senior Materials Sourcing Representative

Trex

kohara@VirginiaAquarium.com Kathy O'Hara Sensible Seafood Program Coordinator

Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

spark@vims.edu Susan Park Assistant Director for Research

Virginia Institute of Marine Science/VA Sea Grant

registerkm@longwood.edu Katie Register Executive Director Clean Virginia Waterways

ann.regn@deq.virginia.gov Ann Regn Dir, Public Information and Outreach

Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality

whadynrob@aol.com William Roberts Chair, Conservation Save Our Streams

matthew.robinson@dc.gov Matt Robinson Stormwater Management Division

DC Dept. of the Environment

frankrocco@washedashore.org Frank Rocco Development Director WashedAshore

grolf@americancanoe.org Greg Rolf Stewardship Coordinator

ACA | Canoe - Kayak - SUP - Raft - Rescue

jason.rolfe@noaa.gov Jason Rolfe Southeast and Caribbean Regional Coordinator

NOAA Marine Debris Program

David.Ruble@dcr.virginia.gov David Ruble Community Environmental Educator

Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation

annesmith@vims.edu Anne Smith Clean Marina Specialist Virginia Sea Grant/VIMS

carl.smith@glasdon.com Carl Smith Vice President Glasdon, Inc

csmith@a-npdc.org Curt Smith Director of Planning Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission

george.stevens@wdn.com George Stevens President Belle Haven Marina Inc.

mswingle@virginiaaquarium.com Mark Swingle Director of Research & Conservation

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

walter_tegge@fws.gov Walt Tegge Visitor Services Manager Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

carl.thomas@deq.virginia.gov Carl Thomas Environmental Specialist, Senior

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

denise.thompson@norfolk.gov Denise Thompson Sustainability Manager City of Norfolk

cmtrapan@virginiaaquarium.com Christina Trapani Stranding Information Specialist

Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

josediego.villegas@glasdon.com Josediego Villegas VP - Sales Glasdon, Inc

rsvreeland@gmail.com Susan Vreeland Master Naturalist Volunteer

Master Naturalist VA Program

Mike Ward(?) Student

virginia.witmer@deq.virginia.gov Virginia Witmer Outreach Coordinator Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality

justin.worrell@mrc.virginia.gov Justin Worrell Environmental Engineer Virginia Marine Resources Commission

Total Attendees - 66

Appendix C – Virginia Marine Debris Summit Media Coverage